Coming out of my tend I see a lot of movement, more than usual, and hear men murmuring nonstop.
Istop the first man I see -What's happening out there?- I ask, still fixing my clothes with one hand as I haven't finished getting ready properly.
-Ah, ChuangZhu...- he nods in greeting -A nearby Armada joined our battlefield, apparently they won a lot of ground these past months and reached us... The Generals are all discussing about joining forces-
I widen my eyes -Which Armada could possibly be so good after all these months of no success?-
-It's a joint one, since they got decimated last year... I don't really know the name, sorry ChuangZhu-
-A... Joint... Armada?!- my eyes begin shining, I instantly run to the tend where the Generals are talking and begin to wait outside.
...
After some time, the group of men inside begins to exit... They talk with one another, smiling brightly and hitting eachother's back. One of them remains a bit behind, looking all around in anticipation...
-Searching for something, General Luo?- I rise from the side of the tend I've been resting against, still a bit away from him. After hearing my voice he turns around with wide eyes
-Lai'Er...?-
-Ah? Have some respect, I may be lower ranked than you Sir... But I'm still a Detachment Commander- I inform him with crossed arms
He keep staring at me shocked, as if I was a mirage in the desert
-You should see your face!- I laugh rushing to hug him tight
-It's been months...- he murmurs, taking me in his arms and rising me high
-Spare me the shame and let me down!- I chuckle, so he lowers me to the ground again.
-It was deep in Winter when we said goodbye and now the trees have already bloomed- he reaches an hand to pat on my hair, before taking some distance... He stare into my eyes -I'm so happy to see you-
-Me too- I smile looking back at him
A cough takes me back. Zhou Zhang, who was passing by, stopped to see the equivocal scene
-Zhou'Ge, let me introduce you to The General of our neighbor Armada. Qin Luo, this little man here is my first ever disciple... Zhou Zhang- I introduce them, ignoring their awkward stares.
Zhou gulps down, knowing very well who Qin Luo is... How much his name always cause me to be in an awful mood whenever said -S Sir...!- he bends down remembering his manners.
-No need to be so formal, If you are Lai'Er disciple you are my friend...- smiles Qin Luo -I'm sure we have a lot to talk, much happened! Like your promotion for example- he nods in my direction.
...
-Isn't it weird tho? It's not like I want you to be punished, obviously... But as I was talking with General Tian, we both think that too much time has passed without a reply. The Reports should have reached the Capital by March, it normally takes 40 days for a Messanger to reach the Capital from our old Camp... But it's almost May and no reply came yet! Unless...- stops midway Qin Luo
-Unless The Emperor is trying to postpone it, having Lai'Er, uhm... ChuangZhu, eh Shifu I mean! Having her in his grace and does not want to punish her- finishes the sentence Zhou for him.
They nod at eachother before looking at me, still considering their words with an hand under my chin -If that's true, The Emperor is playing a deadly gamble-
-Why?-
-If word of my doing spread, which is only a matter of time, and The Emperor still doesn't punish me... Ministers and so would begin to spread rumors of me working for him in removing the Heir from his seat. An Emperor of his age is to leave the throne to an Heir soon, but if there fails to be one... Since his 2nd and 3rd sons are of the same age and rank, the passage won't be immediate. There are some considerations to make and opinions to gather before passing the Heir title... Which makes him look greedy in the eyes of the commoners
Or peoples might think I was his lover and for so he cannot punish me, or I would expose secrets and other things about him. Or...-
I take a deep breath -The most plausible outcome is this one... The family and Nobles who would have gained benefit from the Crowning of the 1st Prince, might seek for a punishment in my regards. If that doesn't come, the Nobles might stop supporting The Emperor or try to push someone else on the Throne, someone chosen by them... The Prince family might even seek revenge, the situation is quite particular now...
Anyway, in the first 2 cases The Emperor risk the folks' faith and support... In the last one he risk his own life- I sigh -Our Country needs to be united as much as possible in these days of War... If it could help achieve it I would hang myself in front of The Palace and take all the blame-
-Could someone really go to that extend? It's not like the Prince died or anything... He was guilty afterall- asks Zhou
-I'm afraid yes, The Royal Palace is not a place filled with familiar love and Justice... It's a place where people don't mind spilling blood, if that help them gain something-
-Mhn... That's right- he nods looking on the ground
-Do not fear, your Shifu will surely sort something out- tries to reassure him Qin Luo -Afterall, she's called "The Saviour of the Throne" at the Capital... And War Goddess- he smiles looking at my hair ribbon.
Zhou simply nods.
-From here it will be difficult to solve the situation tho...- I sigh, still thinking realistically
-Why dont you ask help from those "friends" of yours?- asks Qin Luo, meaning the weak Deities I rescued
-I have no way to contact them...-
-Not even that man who follows you?-
At this sentence Zhou rises his eyes again -The man who helped us fight that Fox Demon?-
Qin Luo expression goes blank -You did what?! Lai'Er... I know that you are extremely capable and searching for danger is an hobby to you... But what about this disciple of yours?!-
Both me and Zhou stare at eachother with pressed lips before opening my mouth, but Zhou is faster -It was my fault, mine and only... She warned me, but I pushed her and fell in a trap-
Qin Luo roll his eyes facepalming -My heart would have stopped working ages ago if you were my daughter... Tell me at least that Fox peoples aren't too high in the strength rank-
Instead of replying I look away, avoiding the question.
-Lai'Er?-
-That time we really risked a lot, I got poisoned by some minor foxes but they still came to rescue me when the Camp got attacked later on- Zhou's attempt to sweeten the news fails miserably
-Attacked?-
-That... Was a trap too, and I take all the blame- I stop their conversation -I went with some men on patrol to keep them safe, even if that was against the General's instructions... And turns out it was all a plan for the enemy to destroy our Camp. But luckily the enemy that lured me out was very weak and I made it back in time... Well not very much in time but I manage to reduce the damage-
-Mhn, I heard she opened the Earth and water completely devoured the fire burning all over the camp- adds Zhou
-You never change do you?- asks Qin Luo with a bitter smile -Well, you are now a Detachment Commander at least... Means you won't do all these weird plans on your own-
-Mhn...- I nod before the voice of Zao Lao calls for me, I notice him laughing over some wine along with the Tian General
-If you will excuse me- I say leaving.
...
-So... Zhou, how is the situation actually? How is she?- asks Qin Luo with a dark expression
-Mhn... You noticed? Since the day she arrived here, she began suspecting a comrade of ours... He is indeed mysterious, but I was blind and never noticed. Also... Weird rumors also started to spread, some about her working for the enemy in secret and some about her being an evil spirt waiting for the moment to finally hurt us all... But I fear there's more, she's often spacing out or have severe black outs... It even happened while on the battlefield once-
Qin Luo press his lips togheter
-I tried to talk with her but she keeps insisting that nothing is happening... Maybe you can help her?- asks Zhou with crossed fingers
-I'll see what I can do, don't worry about it too much young man... Those are matters out of our reach afterall- pats his shoulder the General, standing up and leaving him alone.
How happy are we that Qin Luo is back...?
Ngl I would be shocked if someone was to hate him XD